Whether you’re preparing delectable chocolate candies or wrapping your favorite lollipops or strawberries, you need to know how long it will take, particularly if you’re on a tight schedule.
If you’re wondering how long it takes chocolate to harden, you’ll be relieved to discover that it happens quite quickly. Tempered chocolate just takes four or five minutes to melt, however untempered melted chocolate might take anywhere from five to 60 minutes, depending on thickness and location.
Hello, everyone! My name is Shea, and my family and I are huge chocolate lovers. We’d eat it for breakfast, lunch, and supper if we could. Needless to say, we make a lot of chocolate in our home, and I’ve found how long chocolate takes to set.
We have a choco-LOT to talk about!
Contents
- How Long Does It Take Chocolate to Harden (4 Options)
- Why Won’t My Chocolate Harden (3 Possible Reasons)
- FAQs
- It Doesn’t Take Long for Chocolate to Harden!
- FAQs
- How long does it take chocolate to harden in fridge?
- Why is my melted chocolate not hardening?
- Should you put chocolate in the fridge to set?
- Can you put melted chocolate straight in the fridge?
- Why won’t my chocolate harden in the fridge?
- Can you put chocolate in the freezer to set?
- What do you add to chocolate to make it harden?
- Will untempered chocolate set?
How Long Does It Take Chocolate to Harden (4 Options)
There is no straightforward solution to the question of how long it takes chocolate to harden. A lot may influence how long it takes. For example, was the chocolate tempered or not? What is the thickness of the chocolate? What is the position of the hardening?
This may seem to be rather complicated, but I assure you that if we break it down, it becomes quite simple.
1. Tempered Chocolate – 4 or 5 Minutes
Rather of just melting chocolate, many bakers temper it. The advantage is that tempered chocolate hardens very quickly and stays set for a lengthy amount of time. It also produces a brilliantly glossy sheen, making any dessert seem elegant and delectable.
While the procedure might be difficult, it is clearly well worth the effort.
Tempering chocolate takes about four or five minutes to harden at room temperature (60F to 70F is ideal!). Isn’t it impressive?
2. Melted Chocolate at Room Temperature – 20 to 60 Minutes
20-60 minutes? Yes, it is a considerable range. What’s going on?
The time it takes for your chocolate to harden at room temperature is determined on its thickness. While small-sized chocolate delicacies might be ready in 20 minutes, bigger and thicker slabs of melted chocolate can take up to 60 minutes.
3. Melted Chocolate in the Fridge – 10 to 20 Minutes
It might take a long time for melted chocolate to solidify at room temperature. This will not suffice if you are short on time!
What is your best next step? Of course, the refrigerator!
Melted chocolate should solidify in the fridge in no more than 20 minutes. Yes, even the ultra-thick and luscious chocolate you just melted. Yum.
4. Melted Chocolate in the Freezer – 5 to 10 Minutes
So you’re impatient and don’t believe 20 minutes is quick enough? I can’t say I blame you. I’m not the kind of person who sits around waiting for their dessert to cool or solidify. It’s almost like taste bud torture.
Put your chocolate in the freezer if you want it to harden as quickly as Buzz Lightyear can swing up to the ceiling fan.
Most chocolate will harden in the freezer in five to ten minutes. Naturally, really thick melted chocolate may need a few more minutes. Don’t worry, it’s still far quicker than using ambient temperature or a refrigerator.
Why Won’t My Chocolate Harden (3 Possible Reasons)
Assume you’ve done everything correctly. You bought the finest chocolate for melting and followed all of the procedures in your recipe. However, your chocolate will not solidify. What is the issue?
Actually, a few factors may be standing between you and perfectly melted chocolate.
1. It’s too hot
Melted chocolate, both tempered and untempered, will have difficulty hardening at temperatures exceeding 70°F. Check the temperature in your kitchen again. If the temperature rises beyond 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the process will be delayed or stopped entirely.
On a really hot or humid day, opt for the fridge or freezer. It will not only function, but it will work quicker. Work smarter, not harder, as the old adage says. Let’s be sensible and put those nasty boys in the fridge or freezer, ok?
2. Not letting it sit for long enough
I know you’re eager to get your hands on those flawlessly hardened chocolate goodies. I understand. However, if you continue to examine and fiddle with the chocolate, it will not harden correctly.
What is the solution? Allow the chocolate to set and the procedure to run its course. Yes, even if you use the freezer, it may take a bit longer than you planned. However, opening the freezer and pushing it with your fingers will not assist. Friends, be patient!
3. Improper tempering
Tempering is not for the faint of heart. During this sensitive procedure, many things may go wrong. And, if done incorrectly, the chocolate will not solidify properly.
The biggest concern that individuals have is with the heat. Tempering requires exact temperatures. If you miss the mark, your chocolate will not harden.
Water is another major issue. Even a drop of water may damage tempered chocolate.
Don’t be alarmed if you suspect anything went wrong during the tempering procedure. Simply reheat it in the microwave before trying again.
FAQs
You now know almost all there is to know about how long it takes chocolate to harden. That’s quite awesome! If you’re still inquisitive and want to learn more, I’ve included some frequently asked questions for you to read.
Will chocolate set with oil in it?
You must use extreme caution when adding oil to your chocolate. A little amount goes a long way. If there is too much oil in the mixture, the chocolate will take a long time to set, if it sets at all. Keep in mind that the end outcome will always be slightly softer.
Should melted chocolate be refrigerated?
Melted chocolate keeps well in the refrigerator. If you have a large quantity, split it into smaller pieces so you don’t have to reheat and refrigerate it all the time, which may cause quality to deteriorate. Store lesser amounts in an airtight container and use as required!
Can I add milk to melted chocolate?
You absolutely may, as long as the milk (or other liquid) is introduced while the chocolate is melting. Never mix a cold liquid with melting chocolate. This may and will cause the chocolate to seize, something you do not want to deal with!
How long does it take chocolate to harden on strawberries?
In the fridge, chocolate will set on strawberries in as little as 30 to 60 minutes. However, it is usually preferable to keep them in the refrigerator for as long as possible. This ensures that the chocolate is adhered to the surface before biting into it, resulting in a delightful blast of flavor!
It Doesn’t Take Long for Chocolate to Harden!
Whether you temper it or not, store it in the fridge or freezer, the same factor is that chocolate hardens quickly! While tempered chocolate is the quickest, freezing untempered melting chocolate is also astonishingly rapid.
How long does it usually take for your chocolate to harden?
FAQs
How long does it take chocolate to harden in fridge?
Although it depends on the kind of chocolate used, a fridge may reduce hardening time to as little as 10 or 20 minutes for most melted chocolate! Smaller molds need less time, but bigger molds require 20 minutes.
Why is my melted chocolate not hardening?
It’s possible that the temperature in your room is too high. This might pose issues if the temperature rises over 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The recommended temperature for setting is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also possible that the chocolate wasn’t tempered, since untempered chocolate takes much longer to set.
Should you put chocolate in the fridge to set?
To preserve the texture, taste, and look of chocolate, keep it at a consistent 65-68°F and low humidity. Temperature and humidity fluctuations (such as when taking food in and out of the refrigerator) create the ideal storm for the dreaded… chocolate bloom.
Can you put melted chocolate straight in the fridge?
And don’t put it in a plastic container since it will freeze into a puck that is too thick to slice easily. Instead, as soon as you’re done with it, pour it onto a piece of parchment paper and place it in the fridge until it’s completely firm.
Why won’t my chocolate harden in the fridge?
The “small amount of oil” is the issue. If you mismeasured or just eyeballed it, you now have a chocolate spread rather than a solid coating. Refrigerating the cookies may or may not be enough to firm the chocolate covering, but there is nothing more you can do to modify the chocolate.
Can you put chocolate in the freezer to set?
Storing chocolate in the refrigerator or freezer prevents heat from melting it and destroying the temper (the white coating on melted and re-hardened chocolate is the cocoa butter rising to the top).
What do you add to chocolate to make it harden?
Adding beta crystals, which are simply dried cocoa butter, allows you to swiftly melt the chocolate and create a finished product that hardens the way you want it to.
Will untempered chocolate set?
Untempered chocolate takes significantly longer to settle and, once set, is mushy rather than firm. Home chefs who are eager to set their untempered chocolate may place it in the refrigerator, although doing so increases the likelihood of a gritty texture and uneven surface.
